Boys’ Golf Team Captain Stefan Bowerman was quite dismayed at the inquiry,“We have a golf team?” The teacher asked this perhaps in sarcasm but possibly in utmost seriousness. Bowerman, a sophomore, shrugged off the potential insult and was eventually dismissed for a round of golf with the stealthiest team on campus.

“Although nobody really knows about it, it’s a nice alternative to the regular sports,” said Bowerman of golf at Uni.

Despite the team’s “par” record of 3-5, Head Coach Ray Blum is encouraged by his team’s progress and improvement. Though Bowerman is the only returning player, there are eight freshmen that have become dependable over the course of the season. Ben Haber, freshman, a soccer player during the first semester, consistently finishes in the top three. Additionally, all members of the golf team have improved by ten to twenty strokes thus far.

“We have an entirely new set of faces,” said Bowerman. “Because we have more players on the team this year, there is an added aspect of friendly competition.”

After all, golf focuses not necessarily on team unity but on self-improvement. The nine golfers are ranked based on the five best individual performances. Consequently, the team capitalizes on its rare chances to practice at the driving range and on the putting green. The minuscule size of the golf team is a major issue when it comes to transportation, which is required for practices and even home games.

After falling to Franklin High at Encino Golf Course, the team surged back on Monday against Roosevelt High only to slip on the final holes by a mere six strokes. With league finals scheduled at Griffith Park on May 12, and City finals set for May 16-17, the last season competition is vital.

“Our season record unfortunately does not reflect our individual players’ abilities,” said Bowerman. “However, we still have a chance to finish in second place.”

Competition against Garfield High on May 5 will reveil the overall standings and records. The issue regarding golf’s undercover status at Uni, though, is slightly more complex. Even league powerhouse Marshall High sits in the same uneasy position, questioning the future of high school golf due to its lack of popularity among students.

For Bowerman, “Yes, we have a golf team,” is a good start.